Chapter 1 Chapter 1

"Come on, be honest. Have you ever slept with Keira?" The guy's deep voice stopped me just as I was about to walk in. Peeking through the crack in the door, I spotted Jace Johnston lounging in a fancy chair, his thin lips pressed together. "She made a move, but I'm not into her," he said. "Don't say that. Keira's a real catch around here. Lots of guys are into her," replied Steve Smith, Jace's friend, who knew all about our ten-year history. Jace frowned. "We just know each other too well, you know?" When I was fourteen, I was sent to the Johnston residence and met Jace for the first time. Everyone told me he'd be my future husband. Since then, we'd lived together for ten years. "Exactly. You guys work at the same company, spend the whole day together, then head home to eat at the same table. You probably even know each other's bathroom schedule by now," Steve teased. He continued, "These days, relationships thrive on mystery and the excitement of wanting what you can't have. That's what keeps things interesting." Jace stayed silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Steve's words. "Will you marry her?" Steve's question made my breath catch. Jace's parents wanted us to get married, but he never gave a clear answer, and I never asked him. Steve was asking for me. Jace stayed quiet. Steve chuckled. " You don't want to marry her?""It's not that.""So, you do want to marry her, but you're feeling conflicted, huh?" Steve, having grown up with Jace, understood him perfectly. "Have you heard this saying?" Jace asked with a faint smile. "What?""Some girls are like plain crackers: lacking flavor, but folks still nibble on them." Jace lit a cigarette. The smoke blurred the face I had loved for a decade. My heart clenched as I thought, 'So, I've become something he found hard to discard but had no taste for.' "So, are you marrying her or not?" Steve pressed. Jace glanced at him. "Why are you so interested? Do you have a thing for her too? How about I just hand her over to you?" His words made me feel like I was something he could give away casually. Even a pet would earn some affection after ten years. But I was nothing to him, while he was everything to me. His words cut deep, and I felt a lump in my throat. I looked down at the marriage license application form in my hand and bit my lip hard. Steve chuckled. "What are you talking about? I'd never go after my friend's girl. I'm not that desperate." Jace stubbed out his cigarette and stood up. "Get lost. You're getting on my nerves.""It's not me that's bugging you, it's Keira. If you're not really into her, just let her go. Don't waste her time," Steve said, grabbing his coat from the couch and heading for the door. As Steve opened the door, he saw me standing outside and froze. Then, he rubbed his nose awkwardly, realizing I had overheard their conversation. He forced a smile. "Looking for Jace? He's inside." My fingers felt numb as I gripped the form, unable to speak. Steve glanced at the paper in my hand and moved closer. "Take a moment and really think about what you want." He brushed past me and left. The form in my hand felt like it weighed a ton. After a moment, I took a deep breath, swallowed hard, and pushed the door open.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Jace looked up at the sound, his eyes meeting mine. I didn't need a mirror to know how bad I looked. "Not feeling well?" he asked, frowning a little. I walked silently to his desk, swallowing the bitterness in my throat. "If you don't want to marry me, I can tell your mom." Jace's frown deepened. He knew I'd heard his conversation with Steve. My throat felt tight. "I didn't think I'd become something 'lacking flavor'. Jace—""Rea, in everyone's eyes, we're already married," Jace interrupted me. Rea was my nickname ever since I started living with the Johnstons. 'So what? He wants to marry me for appearances?' I wanted him to marry me because he loved me and wanted to spend his life with me. With a snap, Jace closed the pen and looked at the marriage license application form I was holding. "Next Wednesday, we'll get the license." These were the words I'd been waiting for, but they made me feel awful, really awful... I looked down, shaking my head slightly. "Jace, you don't have to force yourself. I don't need your charity.""Keira Kay!" he called my full name firmly. I trembled, looking up to meet his impatient eyes as he reached out his hand. Tightening my grip on the form, I saw his jaw clench. "Give it to me," he demanded. I stayed still. The tension hung in the air. After a few seconds, he stood in front of me and sighed softly, with a hint of exasperation. "I was joking with Steve. Did you really take it seriously?" 'Was it really a joke?' He added, "You know men like to save face." His hand slid from my arm to my hand, gently taking the form from me. "Don't jump to conclusions." He turned and put the form in a drawer, grabbing his coat. "I have to go out for a bit." Lately, he had been going out a lot, and each time, he'd be gone for a long time. "Jace," I called out, "do you like me?" He stopped and stared at me with dark, intense eyes. After a moment, he smiled, a faint dimple appearing on his left cheek. Jace's smile had always been charming and warm. I remembered the first time I arrived at the Johnston residence; he walked up to me with that same smile and called my name. That smile warmed my heart and made me fall for him completely. Even now, I still loved his smile. My head suddenly felt heavy as he ruffled my hair. "Of course, I like you. Why else would I go all the way across town to get your favorite baked pears, bring you roses every birthday, watch shooting stars with you, and... want to marry you?" Every time I wavered, just a smile from Jace and a few sweet words would make me surrender. I felt like a kite, with one end of the string firmly in his grasp. He controlled my emotions at will, according to his mood. But his conversation with Steve had affected me deeply. This time, his words didn't pacify me like they used to. I looked into his eyes. "Is it a romantic kind of like?" As soon as I finished speaking, he stopped smiling and paused his hand on my head. He moved his hand to my cheek and gently pinched it. "Don't overthink it. Let's head home after work. You love fish, right? I got some fresh salmon delivered, and I'll cook it for you tonight." He walked away, avoiding my question as he had many times before. I could still smell his hand cream on my nose and feel the warmth of his palm on my cheek, but my heart felt cold. He treated me well, pampered me, and liked me, but it felt more like family affection than a romantic love. Yet, my heart was full of him. I had loved him for ten years. I couldn't help but think, 'So, what should I do? Marry him and live a dull, unromantic life? Or leave him and let him find his true love?'

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

I spent the whole day thinking about this question. By the time Jace came to get me in the afternoon, I still didn't have an answer, but I followed him anyway. Habit is a tough thing. After ten years, I had gotten used to him and going home to the Johnston residence after work. "Why aren't you talking?" Jace probably sensed my mood and started the conversation. I was quiet for a few seconds. "Jace, maybe we should--" Before I could finish, his phone rang. The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number, but I noticed his grip on the steering wheel tighten. He was nervous, which was rare. I looked at his face, but he quickly disconnected the call from the car's Bluetooth and switched to his earpiece. "Hello... Yes, I'm on my way." The call was brief. He hung up and looked at me. "I've got something urgent to handle, so I can't give you a ride home." It wasn't the first time. Even if he hadn't said anything, I knew he was going to leave me behind. But I still hoped he might take me home first. A sharp pain hit my heart, and I held back my sadness. "Is something wrong?" Jace's jaw tightened. He didn't answer. Instead, he stared out the window and said, "I'll drop you off up here. You can catch a cab home." He didn't even bother to explain and had already made arrangements. What could I say? Questioning him or making a fuss would only humiliate myself. "Let me know when you get home... Shoot me a text." He said while parking on the side of the road. I tightened my grip on my bag and got out of the car. It wasn't my imagination. From his reaction to the call to his refusal to let me hear it over the car speaker, I had a bad feeling. But I said nothing. Obviously, he was doing something behind my back, but I kept pretending otherwise. "Be careful!" He gave me a reminder before leaving in a hurry, but in the end, he drove off without a second thought. I stood there, staring in the direction he left for a long while, then I looked down at my toes. My phone suddenly buzzed in my pocket. It was my best friend, Lena Lane, calling. "Hey Rea, where are you? Want to have dinner?" Lena was an obstetrician and gynecologist. Despite being young and single, she had extensive experience in delivering babies. "Sure," I agreed without hesitation. Lena immediately teased, "Did hell freeze over today? You always say you need to check with Jace first. Why'd you agree so quickly?" A lump formed in my chest. For ten years, I'd lived like Jace's sidekick, always checking in with him before hanging out with Lena, afraid he'd freak out if he couldn't find me. But Jace's words today made me realize I had become a burden to him. "Are you at the hospital or at home?" I didn't answer Lena and asked instead. Lena gave me an address and told me to go there. *** "What's wrong? Did you have a fight with Jace?" Lena immediately sensed something was off when she saw me. She was one of my few friends, and I didn't hide anything from her. After listening, Lena cursed, "What a jerk! Saying you're 'lacking flavor'? As if he's slept with you a thousand times!" Her words didn't comfort me. Instead, they made me feel humiliated. In all the years I'd been with Jace, we had never been intimate. There were moments of closeness, like that one time I got drunk and made a move on him, but he just wrapped me up and sent me back to my room. I used to think Jace respected me, not wanting to take advantage of me when I was drunk. Today I realized he just wasn't interested in me. Didn't they say if a man really loved a woman, he'd want to sleep with her? But Jace never showed any desire for me. "Lena, I think I'm ready to let go." The difficult question I had been wrestling with all day suddenly had an answer. "Good, I support you," Lena clinked her glass with mine. "There are plenty of hunks out there, and with your looks, you can have your pick. Why settle for a two-timing jerk?" Lena was right. At eighteen, I won a beauty pageant. If Jace hadn't stopped me, I'd probably be a celebrity by now. With my beauty, I had received countless admirers and suitors over the years, but none of them moved me. 'Because the only one I want is Jace!' The thought made my nose sting. I didn't want Lena to see me cry, so I hurried to the restroom. In my rush, I collided with someone coming out, knocking them down and landing on top of them. Just as I was about to apologize, the person screamed, "Help! She's molesting me!"

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

I never thought I'd end up in police station for indecency. The person I knocked over was a 17-year-old teenager. He was sure I had bad intentions. Even though I denied it, he kept saying that I touched him. "Where did she touch you?" the police asked, scrutinizing every detail. Brad Twain looked at me, pointed at his chest, then gestured down to his waist. "She touched me here, here...and even here." 'That's total bullshit!' I almost cursed, I had never touched a man as handsome as Jace. How would I be interested in a kid like him? The officer looked at me again, and I denied it before he could ask. "I didn't lay a hand on him; it was just an accidental bump.""Have you been drinking?" the officer asked, giving me a knowing look. It was normal for men to drink a lot, but if a woman drank even a little, she was seen as improper. I nodded. "Yes, I did.""How much?" The officer's question seemed unrelated to the situation at hand. Still, I answered honestly, "One bottle of beer." He looked at me in disbelief. I immediately thought of Lena, who could vouch for me. But just my luck, while I was on the ground with Brad, she texted me saying she had been called back to the hospital to save a bleeding mother. I understood what the police were implying and explained again, "I wasn't drunk, and I definitely wasn't taking advantage of this kid." The officer noted my words and then looked at Brad. "Are you sure she touched you? Making false accusations has legal consequences.""Of course, I'm sure," Brad insisted. I was so angry I wanted to get up and hit him. Before I could act, Brad's eyes suddenly lit up. "Sis, you're here?" As a minor, he needed a guardian called in. I turned, wanting to explain to his family, but when I saw who had arrived, I was stunned. Jace walked in with a woman who had long, straight hair and wore a white dress. She looked like the classic unattainable crush from every romance drama. I knew who she was. Her name was Tanya Twain. "Brad, what happened?" Tanya asked anxiously. Brad didn't answer her but instead pouted at Jace. "Sis, is this your new boyfriend?" Jace's face tightened, his look shifting from surprise to coldness as he stared at me. "What's going on?""Jace, you know this woman? She's a total creep. She touched me all over..." Brad kept lying with exaggerated gestures. I had no energy left to explain. I just stared at Jace. It had only been a few hours since he left me, and now he was someone else's boyfriend. The reason he had to drop me off so urgently earlier seemed clear now. Tanya also looked at me. "Hi, Keira. I'm Tanya, Brad's sister." Her voice was gentle. At first, I was a bit surprised she recognized me. But then I thought, 'Of course she knows me. I'm Jace's sidekick, always trailing behind him. Anyone who knows him knows about me.' However, Tanya and I had never interacted. I only knew about her because her husband, Desmond Blake, had died in a car accident recently, and Jace, being Desmond's close friend, had been helping her out. I swallowed the bitterness in my throat. "I just accidentally knocked over your brother and fell on him. I didn't do any of the things he's saying." Tanya smiled apologetically. "I know, he's always been a troublemaker." She walked over and gave Brad two quick smacks on the head, then explained the situation to the police. They checked the surveillance footage and confirmed I was telling the truth. "Since you all know each other, why don't you try to make up? Otherwise, the kid could be detained for making a false report," the officer suggested. Tanya immediately tugged on Jace's sleeve. It was a small gesture but seemed very intimate. Jace had a high status and an aura that kept most people at a distance. Casual touches like that weren't common, and he didn't usually like being touched. But Tanya's touch didn't seem to bother him at all, indicating this wasn't the first time. It was something I didn't want to think too much about. As for the officer's suggestion, I was about to speak when Jace cut in, "It was all a misunderstanding. Let's just drop it." Then, he grabbed my hand tightly and pull me away.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

My hand hurt from his grip. It was clear Jace was angry. 'Is he jealous?' Just as I wondered, Jace let go of my hand, his eyes cold. "Rea, are you doing this to get back at me because of what I said?" I was shocked. I didn't think he'd see it that way. "I didn't, I--" I began to explain but he interrupted me. "Where did you touch him? Did you really touch him there?" Jace's jaw was tense, and his eyes had a fierce glint. But this rare display of jealousy eased a lot of my frustration. It showed he did care about me. If he only saw me as a sister or a friend, he wouldn't care if I touched another guy. "No," I said again. Just then, Brad walked out and whistled at me. "Hey creep, why are you hitting on my brother-in-law?" Rudeness was typical from him, and this was no exception. Looking at him, I couldn't help but wonder what I did to deserve this. Tanya came over too. When I thought of her touching Jace earlier, I instinctively took Jace's arm. However, I didn't expect to feel his muscles tense up. "Enough!" Tanya said, pinching Brad. She stood in front of Jace and me, her face full of apology. "Jace, Keira, I'm sorry.""It's not your fault," Jace said. Then he looked at Brad. "If you cause trouble again, no one will bail you out.""Hmph," Brad scoffed, glaring at Jace. "Who do you think you are? Why should I even bother listening to you? If you want to be my brother-in-law, then maybe I'll consider it.""Brad Twain!" Tanya scolded, hitting him again. Brad dodged. "Sis, he likes you. Why else would he stick around day and night, taking care of you?" I pulled my arm away from Jace the moment I heard that. It hit me—these past days, he had been absent day and night, frequently leaving work for hours. It turned out he was spending all that time with Tanya. She was Desmond's wife. Desmond had passed away in a car accident, so it made sense for Jace to take care of her. But did he need to be there every day? To the point where others would misunderstand? "What nonsense are you talking about?" Tanya's face flushed red as she hit Brad even harder. The seventeen-year-old, rebellious and unyielding, instinctively raised his hand as Tanya hit him, causing her to stumble sideways. I felt a push and staggered, nearly falling. When I regained my balance, I realized Jace had pushed me away and rushed to Tanya's side. He knelt on one knee, holding her. "Tanya, are you okay? Where does it hurt?""My stomach hurts, Jace," Tanya's voice was weak. She clutched Jace's arm in pain. "Don't worry, I'll take you to the hospital. Don't be afraid," he said, his voice trembling with panic. I stood there like a deer in headlights. I had seen Jace in countless situations, but this was the first time I had seen him so frantic. And it was for another woman. Jace carried Tanya to the car and shouted, "Rea, you drive." I remained frozen. "Hurry up! If anything happens to Tanya, you'll regret it!" Brad stormed over and grabbed me roughly. The moment he touched me, I didn't know what came over me. I raised my hand and slapped him hard. "Don't touch me!" Five clear finger marks appeared on Brad's cheek. Jace and Tanya, sitting in the car, stared in shock, and Brad was stunned. He probably didn't expect me to hit him, but after a brief second, he lost it and lunged at me. "You bitch!""Brad!" Jace's voice was icy. "If you lay a hand on her, I'll make sure you end up back in the police station." The threat worked. Brad withdrew his hand, glaring at Jace and me with fury before storming off. "Brad!" Tanya called out, but then clutched her stomach in pain. "Jace, it hurts so much! Hurry and take me to the hospital!""Rea!" Jace called me again. Seeing Tanya in such pain, I shoved all other thoughts aside, jumped into the car, and drove straight to the hospital. When we saw the doctor, Jace, who was carrying Tanya, urgently said, "Doctor, she's pregnant. She just fell, and now her stomach hurts a lot." 'Pregnant?' My steps suddenly felt heavy, and my heart sank. 'Desmond's gone. How can she be pregnant?' I looked at Jace's panic-stricken face. 'Why is he so worried? Could it be....?' Tanya was rushed into the ER, and Jace and I waited outside. I didn't know Tanya well and didn't have any particular feelings for her, so I wasn't exactly worried. Jace, on the other hand, was visibly anxious. I watched him for a while, but he kept his eyes fixed on the ER door, as if he had forgotten I was standing right beside him. Bitterness welled up inside me. I swallowed hard before finally speaking. "Is the baby... yours?" I didn't want to speculate, so I asked directly. Jace turned, a look of shock flashing in his eyes, followed by a deeper gaze. "What are you talking about? Of course not. It's Desmond's child." I breathed a sigh of relief. Desmond was Tanya's husband and Jace's friend for many years. He had died in a car accident a month ago. "I'm taking care of Tanya because Desmond asked me to," Jace explained. I remembered how Jace looked when he came home after Desmond's accident: hair disheveled, beard scruffy, looking like he hadn't slept in days. Their bond must have been incredibly deep. Now that Desmond was gone, it made sense for Jace to look after his widow. In that moment, I felt a pang of guilt for my earlier suspicion. I gently took hold of Jace's arm and explained what had happened. "I didn't touch that kid. He was just trying to smear me." Jace looked at me, his lips moved slightly, and after a moment, he reached out and pinched my cheek. "No more drinking in the future." I wanted to say I only had a little when the ER doors swung open. The doctor came out and walked over to Jace. "Are you family? Please sign here." Jace glanced at me, then took the doctor's pen. Before signing, he asked, "Doctor, how is she doing now?""Your wife has a threatened miscarriage. We'll do our best to stabilize the pregnancy, but there's a chance it might not work. We need your signature," the doctor explained. "Please do everything you can to save her." Jace's voice was urgent. "Of course. Now, please sign." Under the doctor's urging, Jace signed his name in the family member section of Tanya's medical record. I knew signing didn't mean anything significant on its own, but I hadn't expected my fiancé to become another woman's "family member."

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

Tanya had a close call; her baby was saved, and now she was back in her hospital room. Her face was pale and drawn, her eyes red and puffy, making her look fragile and pitiful. "Don't worry, the baby is fine," Jace reassured her. "Jace, I was so scared," Tanya began to cry. Jace handed her a tissue, and she took it, grabbing his hand and resting her tear-streaked face on it. 'She might be pitiful, but does being pitiful give her the right to treat my fiancé as her own?' I thought. I walked over. "Mrs. Blake, the doctor said that strong emotions are bad for the baby. You barely managed to save the child. If something happens again because you're crying like this, it would be terrible." I reached out to support her, subtly pulling her away. Seeing her tears on Jace's hand still made me uncomfortable, like something of mine had been tainted by someone else. I was a bit of a clean freak, both in life and in love. Tanya seemed taken aback when I called her Mrs. Blake. Her face visibly stiffened but she quickly regained her composure. "Jace, I'm sorry, I..." She reached for a tissue to wipe Jace's hand. I stopped her. "You shouldn't move around too much right now." Her face stiffened again, her tear-filled eyes looking at Jace with obvious affection. Once Jace and I left the room, I asked him directly, "Does Tanya like you?""No!" he denied immediately. "Do you like her?" I pressed, wanting to clear things up once and for all. Jace's face tensed, and after a few seconds, he finally muttered, "We're just friends..." 'Just friends?' "Desmond isn't here anymore. When he was dying, he held my hand and asked me to take care of her..." Jace's voice trembled, his hands shaking as well. It was clear that bringing up Desmond's death always upset him. This wasn't the first time. Seeing him like this made my heart ache. "I didn't mean anything, it's just that Tanya seems very dependent on you.""She's probably just feeling insecure because she's pregnant and alone," Jace explained, his gloomy eyes falling on my face. "Rea, I'll be more careful in the future." Since he had said this much, what more could I say? Still, I reminded him, "Even if you're looking after her for Desmond's sake, there are boundaries." I didn't want to see another scene like the one earlier. It made me uncomfortable. "Yeah, I understand..." He had barely finished speaking when we heard the urgent sound of wheels scraping against the floor nearby. I turned my head and saw a group of people rushing toward us with an emergency stretcher. Just as I was about to step aside, I heard Jace's voice, "Watch out!" and he pulled me out of the way. The stretcher sped past us from behind. I found myself pressed against his chest, his heartbeat loud and fast in my ears. The sound reminded me of something that had happened soon after I arrived at the Johnston residence: I had fallen during a school event, and Jace had caught me. He reassured me and carried me to the infirmary. That was the first time I heard his heartbeat, so rapid and frantic. That was also the moment I truly fell for him. Now, his heartbeat was still fast, still because of me. I closed my eyes, pushing away all other thoughts, and snuggled closer to Jace's chest. "Let's go home. I'm tired.""Alright, I'll let Tanya know," Jace said, kissing my forehead as he released me. I waited at the door instead of going into the room. I didn't hear what Jace said to Tanya, but as he came out, I heard her sobbing. When we returned to the Johnston residence, his parents, Matthew Johnston and Lindey Jewell, were still awake, sitting on the couch watching TV. Neither of them spoke to the other. Usually, Matthew and Lindey didn't talk much. I once asked Lindey about it, and she said that after so many years of marriage, seeing each other every day, what was there to talk about? Jace had told me that their love had been passionate when they were young, but it eventually settled into this calm routine. Perhaps this was what love would look like in the end. "Dad, Mom, I'm home.""Hi, Lindey, Matthew." Jace and I greeted them. "Have you guys eaten? If not, there's some food left for you," Lindey said gently. "We've eaten," Jace replied, then turned to me. "Are you still hungry? Do you want to eat something?" I hadn't eaten much for dinner, but I wasn't hungry at all now. "No, I'm good.""Then go upstairs and rest. I'll have Isabel bring you some milk later," Lindey said with a smile. Isabel was the family maid. I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but something about her smile felt off. I didn't dwell on it, though, and headed upstairs. When I opened the door, I was taken aback and turned to look at Jace. He stood at the doorway, looking back at me. Before we could go back downstairs, Lindey had already come up. "Rea, I forgot to mention earlier, we need to get Jace's room ready as your wedding room, so for now, he'll be staying in your room.""Mom, after we get married, we're moving out. Why bother preparing a wedding room here?" Jace questioned. "Moving out doesn't mean you'll never stay here. During holidays or when it gets late, you'll still need a place to stay," Lindey replied, giving him a playful glare. She pulled him to my door. "You two are getting married soon. There's no issue with you sharing a room.""Rea, you don't mind, do you?" Lindey asked me. Jace's words to Steve echoed in my mind, leaving me momentarily speechless. "No problem," Jace answered for me. I looked up at him, and the next second, he had his arm around my shoulder, guiding me into the room. "Goodnight, Mom!" Jace called out as he closed the door. Neither Jace nor I spoke, and the atmosphere was awkward, with a hint of something more intimate. Especially with the bed made up in wedding-themed linens, it felt like tonight was our wedding night. My face flushed. "Um... I'll change it..." I pulled away from Jace's arm, but he grabbed me, his deep eyes locking onto mine, making my heart race and my breath quicken. His Adam's apple bobbed as he stepped closer. Every nerve in my body tightened. He got closer, his hand moving from my arm to my shoulder, then to the back of my neck. His face lowered toward mine. Nervously, I gripped his arm. "Jace..." But my words were cut off by his lips. His kiss was fierce and fiery, unlike any before. Over the years, we had kissed, of course, but he had always kept it light, never probing deeper. Tonight was different; his kiss was intense. I was so nervous that my teeth chattered, making it impossible for him to deepen the kiss. Jace didn't press further but whispered in my ear, "Relax." Then, I felt my body lighten as he picked me up and placed me on the bed. As his fingers moved to unbutton my shirt, my toes curled with tension. I could see the veins bulging on his forehead, and his Adam's apple moved more prominently. Though I had never experienced it, I knew what was coming. I could sense his excitement matching mine. Maybe when he said he wasn't interested before, it was just because he hadn't tried it yet. Wasn't there a saying that "once you try it, you'll want more"? I closed my eyes, anticipating the start of our intimate journey. As I felt a coolness on my skin with my clothes being removed, his lips brushed against my neck. Then Jace's phone rang. My nerves jolted, and I instinctively clutched his arm. "Jace..."

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

Even though I wasn't so turned on that I'd lose control, if Jace answered the phone or left right now, I'd be mortified. He swallowed hard and grabbed his phone, pressing the button to hang up. He continued kissing my neck and collarbone. But the phone rang again a second later. I knew that if he didn't answer, there would be no peace for either of us. Turning my face to the side, I said, "You should answer it." Jace looked uneasy. He pulled the blanket over me, picked up the phone, and walked to the balcony. Even though he closed the sliding door, I could still hear him. "I can't come over. Ask the nurse to help you. "I didn't say I wouldn't take care of you... I know it's my fault... "Fine, stop crying. I'm coming, I'll be there soon." Then I heard the click of a lighter. Jace was smoking. For the first time, he was smoking at home. It was nearly ten minutes before Jace returned. The air was tinged with the tobacco smell. His eyes looked uneasy as he said, "Um... I have to go out for a bit. It's Tanya, she's in the hospital, and there's no one to look after her..." For once, he didn't lie to me or try to hide the truth. A chill spread through my body under the blanket. "Is it appropriate for you, a man, to take care of her?""I'm just going to find a caregiver for her," Jace said, straightening his clothes. I knew I couldn't keep him here. Embarrassment and sadness welled up inside me. "Jace.""Hmm?" He looked up at me, his eyes still uneasy. He must've been afraid that I'd cling to him and not let him go. As a business magnate of Seavora, he had never shown fear. Yet here he was, nervous and uncertain in front of me. In that moment, the words I wanted to say stuck in my throat. I forced a bitter smile and said, "Be careful on the road." After saying that, I curled up under the blanket and closed my eyes. A moment later, I heard Jace's footsteps approaching. He kissed my forehead. When his lips left, he whispered, "I'm sorry..." So he knew this would hurt me, yet he still did it. Maybe my constant forgiveness made him think that hurting me once or twice was no big deal. Jace left, but the desire he ignited inside me hadn't died down. I submerged myself in the bathtub to cool it down. I was lying in the tub, staring blankly. As the last bit of my emotional turmoil finally faded away, Lena's call came through. "What's Jace doing in my department? Who is that Tanya Twain to him?" I wasn't surprised that Lena knew, and I didn't hide the truth from her. Lena instantly got angry. "He's your fiancé, but he's going to take care of a widow in person? Is he out of his mind? Doesn't he know that will bring unnecessary trouble? Why would he get involved?" Even Lena thought it was inappropriate. I didn't mind sharing my humiliation with her. "What if I tell you he left right in the middle of something?" Lena was stunned for a few seconds. "Did you two do it?""No, we only got halfway," I said, feeling like a fool as the words left my mouth. "Damn!" Lena, usually so elegant, swore loudly. "Jace can stop halfway even with his pants off? If it's not that he can't do it, then it's..." She trailed off, not finishing her thought. She didn't say it, but I understood. She meant that Jace didn't love me enough. If he loved me, he wouldn't have left me like that. If he loved me, he wouldn't be spending the night with Tanya. It was sad for Tanya losing Desmond, and it was right for Jace to take care of his close friend's widow, but he had crossed a line. "You are thinking about giving up on him, right? Then just let him go and find someone better," Lena advised me. I stayed silent. 'Giving up on Jace is simple, but what about his family?' Now his family felt like my own. Matthew and Lindey treated me like their daughter. They had raised me all these years. Lindey, especially, was like a mother to me. She was the one who taught me what to do when I got my first period and washed my stained clothes for me. Lena seemed to get why I was quiet. "Rea, maybe we're overthinking this. Think about how good Jace has been to you over the years. "Everywhere he goes, he says you're his fiancée. Maybe he's just being super nice, taking care of a widow. "I don't think he'd cheat on you with a pregnant widow. He wouldn't want to be a stepdad, right?" But I thought about the way Tanya looked at Jace. "What if she's the one in love with him?""What?" Lena was surprised for a second, then sighed. "That's not impossible. Jace is the perfect guy for a lot of women, especially a widow like her. "He really needs to keep his distance from her, especially now. "When a woman is vulnerable, even a little kindness can become her lifeline, something she clings to desperately." Lena paused for a moment before adding, "I'll keep an eye on things tonight and make sure nothing happens." I realized that Lena was only working a temporary shift. "No, you should rest after your shift. You can't keep watch forever. If something's really going on between them, then..." I paused, thinking about Jace's recent behavior, before finishing my sentence. "...then it's probably been happening for a while." Lena snorted. "True, but Rea, don't get too caught up in this. If Jace really cheats on you, just cut him off and move on. You haven't lost a thing. Trust me, you're an absolute gem and can definitely find someone better.""Heh," I laughed. 'If that's the case, should I be grateful that Jace has kept our relationship proper and restrained all these years?' I purposely yawned and ended the call with Lena. On nights like this, I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep. By dawn, Jace still hadn't come back. I had an early field assignment today, so I got up early and left before Matthew and Lindey woke up. Leaving so early was partly to avoid their questions. Jace's room renovation was real, but Lindey's real goal was to create a romantic atmosphere for Jace and me to take things to the next level. But their hopes were dashed, and for me, that was also humiliating. As a woman, if you couldn't get a guy to drop his pants, it could feel like a total fail. Around eight o'clock, just as I arrived at RiverwaveCorp's business partner's office, Jace called. I stared at the number, hesitated for a few seconds, and didn't answer.

Chapter 8 Chapter 8

"Keira, Mr. Johnston is looking for you." Demi Young, who had followed me, held out her phone. I had really underestimated Jace's persistence. With no other choice, I took the call. "Mr. Johnston, what can I do for you?" I asked formally. "Rea," Jace's voice was hoarse and full of guilt. "Why'd you leave so early today? I didn't see you when I got back." Realizing this wasn't a work call, I stepped away. "I went out for breakfast.""I'm sorry, I... I couldn't leave last night, so I didn't come back." A cold chill ran through me, and I felt a mocking smile on my lips. "Why couldn't you leave?" Jace went silent. I held my breath, giving him an out. "Was it because you couldn't find a caregiver?""Yes..." I didn't say anything else, but Jace continued, "Rea, when will you be done there? I can pick you up, and we can grab lunch together." We hadn't had a meal together in a long time. According to Brad, Jace had been spending his time with Tanya. So, this sudden lunch invite—was it to make up for last night or just a sudden pang of guilt? I didn't know, nor did I want to waste brain cells guessing. I replied blandly, "I'm not sure when I'll be done, maybe around noon... but it might drag on. Besides, don't you have something to do every noon these days?""Rea," Jace said heavily. He must've caught the sarcasm in my voice. After a two-second pause, he added, "Don't overthink it." 'Huh? He pulled up his pants and left when we were halfway there. What does he expect me to think?' It was work time, and I didn't want to discuss personal matters with him. "I'm busy now. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up." He didn't speak, so I hung up. Today's fieldwork included discussions with our partners and an on-site inspection. After finishing the discussions at ten in the morning, Demi and I headed to the site. This was an amusement park construction project, and I was responsible for overseeing everything. The project was already 80 percent complete, and I needed to check if the progress matched the design blueprints. The partners were following the blueprints precisely, so the chances of issues were small, but I still had to go through the procedures. After making the rounds, my feet were swollen and my toes were aching. I found a place to sit down and rest. Demi noticed something was wrong. "Keira, are you okay?""My feet hurt," I admitted. If we weren't outdoors, I would've taken off my shoes to give my feet a good rest. Demi looked at me. "Do you feel sick besides your feet hurting?" I was slightly taken aback. Demi pointed to her own face and added, "You don't look good." Of course, I didn't look good. After barely sleeping last night, it would be strange if I did. No amount of makeup could hide a woman's bad mood. "Maybe it's because my period is coming," I found an excuse, then took out my phone, pretending to check messages. Demi was a talkative girl, and I feared if she kept asking, I'd run out of lies. Suddenly, a shadow loomed over me. Thinking it was Demi, I didn't pay attention until I felt a familiar warmth on my ankle. I looked down to see a familiar hand. Jace had taken off my shoes, placing my foot on his knee, massaging it gently. "Are the shoes uncomfortable?" I didn't speak, my throat tightening. He looked up at me. "Still mad?" His voice was low and soothing. "No," I said, trying to pull my foot back. Jace didn't let go, continuing to massage my foot. "It won't happen again..." Today, he was wearing a royal blue suit with a white shirt underneath. The custom cufflinks gleamed in the sunlight, standing out just like him. He massaged my left foot, then moved to the right, ignoring the people walking by. Some girls glanced over enviously, whispering about seeing such a charming and attentive boyfriend. I admit, I was moved too. My frustrations from last night started to melt away with his massages. "Keira, you're so lucky!" Demi mouthed from a distance. Jace had gone to such lengths. If I kept holding on to last night's incident, I'd not only seem petty but also like I was desperate for sex. "What do you want for lunch?" Jace asked me. "Anything," I replied. I didn't really have an appetite, even though I was feeling a bit better. "I'll take you to have grilled fish. They also serve grilled foie gras; it's really good," Jace said as he helped me into the car. I was just about to fasten my seatbelt when he leaned over, his soapy scent brushing past my nose, making my breath hitch. Noticing my reaction, he chuckled and fastened my seatbelt for me. As he straightened up, he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Rea, you look shy just like you did when you were a kid." I was taken aback. Though it was just a brief peck, it lifted my spirits entirely. I had always been so easily pleased. A little kindness from him, and I'd be overjoyed. Thinking of Tanya, I asked, "How is Tanya now?""...She's fine, discharged from the hospital." I didn't say anything else, and Jace glanced at me. "Why aren't you talking?""I don't know what to say," I answered honestly. As I said it, his words from a previous conversation with Steve—"we just know each other too well"—flashed in my mind. 'Exactly, we just know each other too well, to the point where we know everything about each other, to the point where there's nothing left to say,' I muttered inwardly. Jace took me to a restaurant. The waiter led us to a window seat where a bouquet of white roses I loved was already set. He had reserved the table in advance. Grilled fish, foie gras, and my favorite desserts were served. This meal clearly showed his effort. I took a picture, posting it on social media—food, flowers, and Jace's long, slender, beautiful hands. My colleagues from the company immediately liked the post. Demi sent a pouting emoji with a teasing comment: [Why didn't you take me along?] Jace had told her to handle her own lunch and submit the receipt for reimbursement later. Lena saw it too. She didn't like it but sent me a DM: [Given his effort, I can tell he knew he was wrong. Not bad. I asked the nurse on duty last night, and he really was just in the ward. Nothing happened.] I didn't reply to her. "Hey, stop looking at your phone and eat," Jace reminded me, placing a piece of foie gras he had cut in front of me. I picked up my fork, about to take a bite, when a familiar figure caught my eye. Tanya saw me too and walked over with a smile. "Hi, Keira." Then she turned to Jace. "Jace, you're here too?" she said, as if surprised to see him. As if my fiancé not being here would make sense. "What a coincidence. What brings you here?" I asked directly. "I went to Desmond's grave and happened to pass by. The smell of foie gras tempted me," Tanya said with her delicate features and soft voice. "You're alone?" Jace asked. "Yes, so if you don't mind, can I join you?" Tanya said, already placing her coat on the seat next to Jace.

Chapter 9 Chapter 9

"Join us!" Jace agreed without consulting me. Tanya sat down, looking at the food in front of her with a foodie expression. "Grilled fish, I've been craving this lately.""Shall I order you some foie gras as well?" Jace's tone was casual. "And add some dessert, yogurt ice cream with strawberry sauce, and orange juice," Tanya said, then turned to me, "Keira, would you like some orange juice too?""No, I'll have water," I replied, putting a piece of foie gras into my mouth. It was smooth, delicate, with a faint milky aroma... "Jace, was the foie gras you brought me before from this restaurant?" Tanya's words made me pause mid-chew. I looked at him, noting his slightly stiff expression, "...Yes." No wonder he knew the foie gras here was good. He had bought it for Tanya multiple times, while today was my first time having it—only because he felt guilty. Suddenly, the foie gras in my mouth lost its flavor, making it hard to swallow. "No wonder the smell seemed familiar," Tanya said, smiling at Jace with a tender look that made me feel stifled. She then looked at me. "Keira, Jace must've brought you here often, so he knew the foie gras was good and brought it for me." As if stabbing my heart wasn't enough, she twisted the knife. The feeling was utterly clear now. I looked at Jace. "No, this is the first time. I'm not as lucky as you, 'Mrs. Blake'." Tanya's smile faltered, and she lowered her gaze. "Desmond left me and... our child. Where's the luck in that?" Her voice quivered Tears rolled down her cheeks. I was taken aback, thinking, 'Huh? Just one sentence and she's crying?' "Rea!" Jace called out sternly. He handed Tanya a tissue. "Tanya, don't think too much. Don't cry now; it's bad for the baby.""If Desmond were here, I wouldn't have to eat alone," Tanya said, taking the tissue from Jace and wiping her tears. "Sorry, my emotions are unstable due to the pregnancy. I've ruined your meal. I should go..." She began to stand up, but Jace grabbed her hand to stop her. "You're overthinking. Besides, we already ordered the food. Try this grilled fish; it's delicious." Jace released his grip and picked up a piece of fish to place on her plate. I spoke up, "Jace, why are you using your cutlery to serve her? Use the serving utensil." Jace's hand froze mid-air. The current atmosphere became awkward. Tanya glanced at Jace and spoke considerately, "Jace, there's no need to serve me. I can do it myself." Jace placed the fish portion on his own plate. He then took my plate, placed another portion on it, and removed the bones for me. I had once choked on fish bones, and ever since, Jace always removed the bones for me whenever he was around. Jace was always like this, giving me a hard time and then placating me with a sweet gesture. "Keira, Jace is really good to you," Tanya sighed. "Who else should he be good to if not me?" I replied, putting the fish into my mouth. After swallowing, I continued, "If he were good to other girls too, that would be wrong, wouldn't it?" Tanya glanced at Jace again, her voice soft, "Yes, that's true." Her flirtatious behavior was obvious unless I was blind. "How far along are you?" I changed the subject. Before she could answer, Jace cut in, "Rea, your foie gras will get cold. It won't taste as good." I wasn't dumb. I knew he was trying to stop me from asking Tanya that question. He had told me the baby wasn't his, so why couldn't I ask? Even if there was nothing to hide about the baby, Jace's behavior showed he was way too worried about Tanya. And his fiancée was me. "The taste is already bad now." After learning he had brought Tanya the same food, I didn't want to eat another bite. Jace noticed my tone and looked at me. I met his gaze, and we stared at each other silently. The warmth and happiness from when we had entered the restaurant completely gone. It was true, a moment meant for two couldn't easily include a third person. Just then, the waiter brought over the foie gras, dessert, and orange juice Tanya ordered. He set them down and asked politely, "Would you like the foie gras cut?""No thanks," Tanya said, then turned to Jace. "Jace, could you cut it for me? You always do it perfectly." I interrupted, "The restaurant offers a cutting service. Let's not bother Jace, especially since he needs to take the bones out of my fish. He might be too busy." Tanya bit her lip. "Sorry, Keira, I didn't consider that. I'll cut it myself.""Rea!" Jace called out sternly for the third time. "Tanya doesn't trust food handled by others. She needs to be careful because of her pregnancy." I laughed right away. "Then which of the food here wasn't handled by others?" Jace fell silent. Tanya looked upset and worried. "Sorry, it's my fault. Jace, don't be mad at Keira. If it's like this, I should leave." She started to stand again, but Jace held her back. "Don't mind her. She's on her period and is emotional. Besides, she's always like this." Jace's words had barely settled when I felt a warmth below. I looked at him. "You're right. My period just started, and I didn't bring any pads. Could you buy a pack for me?" Jace frowned slightly. "You know your period is due. Why don't you have any in your bag?""Aren't you the one who remembers my cycle, my thoughtful fiancé?" I smiled, but it didn't reach my eyes. Though clearly annoyed, Jace stood up. "You two eat first. I'll be back shortly." Only Tanya and I were left at the table, but neither of us touched the food. We sat in silence. A few seconds later, Tanya spoke first. "Keira, you really hate me, don't you?" I thought, 'At least you get it.' I didn't bother pretending. "Hate is too strong a word, but you do make me uncomfortable." I pursed my lips, looking at her pitiful, pretend-sad face. "Jace is my fiancé. We're about to get married. You constantly seek him out, even calling him away in the middle of the night. Don't you think that's crossing the line? Would you like it if someone did that to you?"